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2008 Funding Opportunities from COPS

Last month the COPS Office announced the availability of funding under the COPS
Secure Our Schools (SOS) 2008 grant program and the Tribal Resources Grant
Program 2008 (TRGP 2008). The application deadline for both of these programs is
June 13, 2008, and there are three ways to apply.

You may obtain a copy of the application materials by calling the COPS Response
Center at 1.800.421.6770.

COPS Secure Our Schools (SOS) Grants

Approximately $13 million is available in FY2008 to provide funding to law
enforcement agencies to assist with the development of school safety resources and
provide improved security at schools and on school grounds. This program will fund
up to 50 percent of the total cost to implement one or more of the following options:
placement and use of metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures;
security assessments; security training of personnel and students; coordination with
local law enforcement; and/or any other measure that may provide a significant
improvement in security.

This year, the program is open to all law enforcement agencies nationwide that have
primary law enforcement authority over a primary or secondary school within their
jurisdiction. The application process will be competitive and, as such, we recommend
that interested law enforcement agencies use this time early in the solicitation period
to contact and develop partnerships with area schools that need to enhance or
improve school safety and security equipment and/or measures.

The opportunity code for this program is COPS-SOS-2008-1.

Tribal Resources Grant Program (TRGP)

Up to $15 million in federal funds is available in Fiscal Year 2008 to address the
serious needs of tribal law enforcement. The TRGP 2008 grant program is a
comprehensive program that provides a variety of funding options including officer
background investigations, law enforcement training, uniforms, basic-issue
equipment, department-wide technology, and vehicles for officers. The program’s
aim is to enhance tribal law enforcement infrastructure and community policing
efforts.

This program is open to all fFederally Recognized Tribes with established police
departments. In addition, tribes that are currently served by Bureau of Indian Affairs
(BIA) law enforcement may request funding under TRGP 2008 to supplement their
existing police services. Requests under this program must reflect otherwise
unfunded needs. There is no local match requirement for the TRGP 2008 grant;
therefore, the COPS Office will prioritize funding to agencies that demonstrate the
greatest need for federal assistance. There is a cap of $200,000 for agencies with 20
or fewer sworn officer positions, and a cap of $400,000 for agencies with at least 21
sworn officer positions.